BA (Hons) Football Studies

Football Studies

About the course

If you’re passionate about football, Solent University’s industry-leading football studies degree can help provide you with the skills you’ll need to thrive in a variety of football roles. Past graduates are now employed in a range of clubs and organisations at all levels of the game.

Solent University has been at the forefront of football education for nearly two decades and our football studies degree has emerged as the leading supplier of graduates to the football industry. Graduates have gone on to careers at Premier League clubs including Southampton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

This degree provides students with comprehensive knowledge and real-world experience of the football industry. Students have the opportunity to study a range of contemporary themes, as well as tailor their study to areas of specific interest within football.

Endorsed by the League Managers Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association and Kick It Out, the course offers excellent work placement opportunities with professional clubs and organisations.

Students are able to benefit from the opportunity to tap into the University’s extensive network of contacts in the game. Regular lectures from guest speakers - including former Premier League and international players, managers, academy directors, leading club chairmen, media professionals, match officials and England national team staff - enable students to learn from and interact with professionals who have first-hand, high-level experience within the game.

Who is this course for?

This football studies programme is open to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds – football foundation year graduates will receive direct entry.

Candidates should be passionate about football and aspiring to a career within a professional club or sporting organisation.

Facts and figures

Fees and costs

Tuition fees

The tuition fees for the 2018/19 academic year are:UK and EU full-time fees: £9,250 per yearInternational full-time fees: £12,500 per year

Other costs

While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.

Compulsory costs:

Students must purchase compulsory kit/clothing. This is at a cost of approximately £105.

Students are required to undertake a DBS criminal records check as part of their enrolment. This is compulsory and is payable by the student at a cost of £55. The DBS check is organised by the University

Bursaries and scholarships

Southampton Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.

Graduation costs

Graduation is the ceremony to celebrate the achievements of your studies. For graduates in 2017, there is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £42 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost.

Key entry requirements

112 UCAS tariff points from A-levels or equivalent

A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D* or equivalent.

Grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Mathematics, or equivalent (previously grade C).

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. Applicants who are not in possession of the minimum entry requirements but are able to demonstrate aptitude, enthusiasm and motivation will be considered on an individual basis and may be admitted subject to satisfactory interview and/or portfolio. Please contact us for further details.

English language requirements

Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:

IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component

TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 19 in each individual component

or equivalent.

Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.

The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.

Note to all international students requiring a visa:

All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Southampton Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Southampton Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.

Key facts and indicators

Endorsed by

Starting salary

Transferable skills

Students will develop a range of transferable skills including presentation, communication, teamwork, IT and numeracy, organising people, time management and research.

Assessment

The course is assessed using a combination of scouting reports, essays, group presentations, fieldwork, practical planning and delivery, and written examinations.

Practical vs theory

The course is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials, both in groups and individually. Practical sessions are delivered at the University’s multi-million-pound Test Park football centre.

The industry

In the 2013/14 season the English Premier League generated revenue of almost £4 billion, more than any other European league. With revenues from the five major European leagues rising by 15% this year alone (Deloitte, 2015), this large and growing industry offers a wealth of opportunities suitable for properly prepared graduates.

The team

The academic staff on the football studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at various levels of the game. They have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, conducted major research reviews that have changed Premier League and Football League rules and regulations, won European acclaim for...
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The team

The academic staff on the football studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at various levels of the game. They have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, conducted major research reviews that have changed Premier League and Football League rules and regulations, won European acclaim for their football development work from UEFA and helped national teams prepare for World Cup Finals.

Study abroad

You'll have the opportunity to spend between three months and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our EU partner universities, as part of the Erasmus programme.
For more information, see www.solent.ac.uk/exchange
If you're a non-UK student studying at an EU university, the Erasmus programme gives you the chance to...
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Study abroad

You'll have the opportunity to spend between three months and a year of your course studying abroad at one of our EU partner universities, as part of the Erasmus programme.

If you're a non-UK student studying at an EU university, the Erasmus programme gives you the chance to come to the UK and study football studies units at Solent for between three months and a full academic year.

Student support and services

Student welfare - Southampton Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and...
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Student support and services

Student welfare - Southampton Solent University is committed to giving you the best possible educational experience during your time with us. As such we have a number of support services and policies set up covering funding, careers and employability, chaplaincy, counselling, international advice, student affairs, key academic skills, disability support and general student advice. Find out more about our approach to student welfare.

University facilities - You will have access to a modern, comfortable and efficient study environment, including the Mountbatten library and learning resource centres. Solent offers a wide variety of sports halls, gyms and sports equipment, plus superb IT, media, and cutting-edge specialist facilities. Find out more about our first-class facilities here.

Living in Southampton - Southampton is a modern, vibrant student city brimming with arts and culture, top high street brands, green spaces and a buzzing nightlife. Studying at Solent means that you’ll be at the very heart of it. Find out more about being a student in Southampton.

Solent Students’ Union - Run by students for students, Solent Students’ Union is on hand to offer independent advice and support while you’re at university. Visit the Students’ Union website for more information.

89%

Of students, overall are satisfied with the quality of the course.

Study location

East Park Terrace

Got a question about this course?

How to apply

Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.

Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.

Your application should reach UCAS by January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.

The university cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Students also have access to AnalysisPro/Nacsport video and performance analysis equipment and software.

We provide a stimulating learning environment and access to state-of-the-art resources to help you make the most of your time with us. Flexible spaces, Wi-Fi facilities and learning zones all contribute to our lively and contemporary study environment at Solent.

Southampton Solent University is home to the Lawrie McMenemy Centre for Football Research – a world-class research and consultancy centre and the course is endorsed by the League Managers Association, the Professional Football Coaches Association and Kick It Out.

Your future

You’ll be well placed for a wide range of roles in football, whether you’re interested in development, coaching, scouting, performance analysis or research/education.

Suitable roles for graduates include:

Football development officer

Academy Coach

Club scout

Performance analyst

Research/education roles.

88%

Of students go on to work and/ or study.

59%

Of students are in a professional or managerial job.

My time at Solent gave me various opportunities to gain internships in the professional game and these experiences have helped me to secure my new role at St George’s Park. Every experience I had at Solent was valuable.

Garry Halsey - Elite Delivery Coordinator - The Football Association

The football studies degree at Solent prepared me for work within the football industry, ensuring I had a skill set appropriate for dealing with the industry’s demands. The football studies staff go above and beyond to deliver a great student experience.

James Brayne - Performance Analyst - Manchester City FC

The football studies degree not only provided an insight into the unique industry that is football, but also gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in a competitive environment. Along with consistent feedback and tutor guidance, the core theoretical elements aligned with the practical side of this course prepared me thoroughly for this position.

Jamie Benson – Performance analyst – West Ham United

I know without the experience and knowledge gained from the football studies course I wouldn't have even had a shot at this job.

Kane Cowburn – International department – Chelsea FC

I gained a better knowledge of what was needed to work within a professional football club and a wider understanding of what I wanted to do after I graduated. Every day within the job I use skills and qualities that I gained from Solent University. The football studies degree covers such a wide variety of topics that it prepares you exceptionally well for a career in the world of football.

Mark Gamble – Football Education Officer – Southampton FC

The football studies degree gave me exposure to a range of opportunities. From internship connections to guest lectures, the course helped me to achieve a better understanding of what working within football entailed. It drove me to work hard to develop.

Sam Hall - U21 analyst - Manchester United FC

Industry links

The academic staff on the Football Studies degree possess a wealth of knowledge and experience at all levels of the game. They have coached at Premier League and Football League clubs, conducted major research reviews that have changed Premier League and Football League rules and regulations, won European acclaim for their football development work from UEFA and helped national teams prepare for World Cup Finals.

The course benefits from extensive industry links which include a longstanding relationship with Southampton FC. The University has provided administrative education for FIFA, the Football Association, the Premier League, the Football League, the Football Conference and more than 60 professional clubs.

Placements

Gaining practical work experience is at the heart of the course. Students are required to take part in a football leadership programme, working on projects in the local football community.

Students are also encouraged to seek optional internship and work-based learning opportunities with professional clubs and organisations. Placement schemes have run in the past with a number of Premier League and Football League clubs, recruiting students from within the University, whilst other students arrange their own placements with support from the course team. The University can also help students to use their coaching skills in the United States and elsewhere during holiday periods.

Third-year students studying the Applied Coaching in Football unit are required to be working with a football club – the University can offer students support in getting in touch with local clubs if they are not already working with one.

Graduate stories

Robert's story

Robert Mathews - Head coach at Chelsea FC Foundation International

What made you choose to study at Solent?I chose to study at Solent because of its great reputation for the Football Studies course. I also attended an open day and spoke to current students on the course. The overall impression of Solent and the city itself made my choice incredibly easy in the end.

What was the best part about your course?The best part of the course was the support, guidance and expertise from the tutors, particularly the coaching staff as coaching was the avenue I wanted to pursue.

What do you do and what does it involve?I currently work for the International Department at the Chelsea FC Foundation. I'm placed in Bangkok, Thailand for 10 out of 12 months in the year delivering a genuine Chelsea FC Soccer School programme in partnership with multiple international schools in the city. As head coach my role is to deliver coaching sessions to multiple participants in different programmes and help develop the business by ensuring CFC standards are met.

What is your biggest achievement in your work so far?My biggest achievement is being offered the opportunity to travel on the Chelsea FC first team tour in Singapore. This involved travelling with the Chelsea FC senior first team, delivering sessions to the surrounding community and supporting the fanzones on match-days.

What advice would you give to someone just starting this course?Seek opportunities! The degree alone is not enough to secure employment, and the tutors always encouraged me to seek other opportunities to develop myself outside of the degree. For example, coaching courses and part-time coaching/football development roles.